Louisiana Pastor Convicted for Misusing Church Funds on Gambling

Dale Sanders, a pastor from Louisiana, has been found guilty of siphoning over $340,000 from church funds to support his gambling activities. The pastor, who led two New Orleans-area churches, was convicted on 25 federal counts, including wire fraud and obstruction.

Misappropriation of Church Funds

Sanders, aged 56, was involved with the Second New Guide Missionary Baptist Church and the Fifth African Baptist Church. He secretly acquired a debit card from Second New Guide without the board's knowledge, using it to spend vast sums on personal expenses from April 2020 to April 2024. When funds ran low, he transferred money from Fifth African to cover the deficit at Second New Guide.

Cover-Up Attempts

Prosecutors revealed that Sanders attempted to mislead investigators by presenting a fake document. This was an effort to show he had returned funds to the church in 2023, a move aimed at obstructing the federal investigation.

Public Persona and Social Media

Following his indictment, Sanders reached out to followers on Facebook, encouraging prayers for those he called his "enemies." Known for his vibrant sermons and a self-help book called Strut Your Stutter, Sanders often used social media to connect with his congregation. However, this did not sway the federal jury towards leniency.

Legal Proceedings and Sentencing

US District Judge Brandon S. Long has set the sentencing for October 13. Sanders faces severe penalties, potentially up to 20 years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the financial gain, and three years of supervised release. During the trial, Sanders urged his followers to “pray a Matthew 5:44 prayer” for his adversaries, but these appeals did not impact the jury's decision.

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